Kiffin’s reputation boosted by Sarkisian’s exit at Bama
Unlike Falcons’ new coordinator, FAU coach paid his dues.
One paid his dues and polished his image.
The other cut and ran to the NFL, leaving Nick Saban and others at Alabama to squint through a cloud of dust.
Lane Kiffin’s reputation has been enhanced after Steve Sarkisian bailed on Bama to become the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator on Tuesday. After all, Kiffin did his time under Saban. He helped lift the Crimson Tide’s offense to a championship level during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa. Kiffin put up with serving as Saban’s voodoo doll, he survived the sideline tantrums and he withstood the toll of working under one of the sport’s most demanding bosses. Kiffin came out improved before leaving to coach the Florida Atlantic Owls.
S a r k i s i a n d i d w h a t , exactly?
Sarkisian’s departure after just one game as Alabama’s offensive coordinator has had a fascinating effect: Kiffin’s contributions under Saban look even better.
If Sarkisian had stayed at Alabama for another season or longer, we would have recalled Kiffin’s time in Tuscaloosa as a positive, productive experience that allowed the fallen star to rise to another head-coaching opportunity. If Sarkisian had worked under Saban for at least another year, we would have remembered Kiffin’s Crimson Tide stint as a mutually beneficial arrangement for Kiffin and Alabama — but nothing more.
However, after Sarkisian bolted faster than a hamster in a lion’s den, it’s impossible not to form a greater appreciation for what Kiffin offered the Crimson Tide as their offensive coordinator.
One left a major mark on the SEC’s premier program in a draining, demanding environment.
The other left a bunch of people saying, “Huh?”
A n S B N a t i o n r e p o r t revealed that the relationship between Saban and Sarkisian “deteriorated amid disagreements in system philosophy” after the loss to Clemson in the national championship game. It’s hard to imagine that Saban and Kiffin never squabbled over “system philosophy” during Kiffin’s time at Alabama. Despite their obvious personalit y differences, Saban and Kiffin made their partnership work long enough to deliver three consecutive SEC titles, two national championship game appearances and one national title.
That pairing wasn’t always pretty, but both men made concessions for their program’s greater good.
Sarkisian’s quick departure, meanwhile, leaves a bizarre aftertaste.
On one hand, it’s hard to fault him for jumping to the NFL. Sarkisian will have a chance to work with quarterback Matt Ryan, the NFL’s newly minted MVP. He’ll have a robot in wide receiver Julio Jones at his disposal. He’ll inherit a jitterbug of a running back in Devonta Freeman. He’ll have more toys at his fingertips than a toddler on Christmas morning.
Yes, it’s hard to chastise Sarkisian for wanting to join a franchise that will be hungry to right the wrong of an historic Super Bowl LI collapse.
But t here ’s s o methi ng weird about the way he said, “Ta-ta!” to Tuscaloosa.
W h i s p e r s o f t e n s i o n between him and Saban — after one game! — hint that perhaps Sarkisian has a thin skin. At the very least, Sarkisian appeared more interested in taking a possible career shortcut with the destination unknown rather than toughing it out under Saban. Sarkisian likely would have been plucked to fill a notable head-coaching job with a few quality years at Alabama.
The whole situation is a giant shoulder shrug. Still, it’s easier to root for Kiffin to succeed as FAU’s coach with Sarkisian’s sudden change.
Perseverance is a trait we learn to value early in life. We’re told to finish what we start. We’re instructed to push forward even when the situation turns tough. We’re directed that any task worth beginning requires unwavering focus. We lift those who have made progress by doing things “the right way.”
Kiffin is like the boy on a youth soccer team who elevated to a starting role after standout play as a reserve for multiple seasons.
Sarkisian is the new kid who ditched the squad after supposedly fighting with the coach.
Both Kiffin and Sarkisian a r r ived at Al a bama wit h something to prove. Kiffin put in the sweat and stress to be successful. Sarkisian barely unpacked his boxes before changing ZIP codes once more.
People are free to choose paths in life they believe are best.
But Sarkisian’s exit means Kiffin’s time with the Crimson Tide looks better from the rear-view mirror.